SSEN Transmission is pioneering a study into unexpected noise from power lines under low rainfall conditions.
- Graduate trainee Isobel Green leads industry-first research addressing weather-related disturbances to overhead lines.
- The research unveiled that water droplets accumulate on conductors in low rain, causing unexpected noise levels.
- SSEN Transmission plans to share insights with global Transmission Network Operators to improve industry practices.
- Overhead line noise remains a contentious issue as political debates focus on the impact of infrastructure on local environments.
In an industry-first, SSEN Transmission is conducting groundbreaking research into the puzzling phenomenon of increased noise from overhead power lines during low rain conditions. Led by graduate trainee Isobel Green, this research aims to mitigate weather-related disturbances. Green has pioneered a novel testing method to validate her hypothesis, developing a comprehensive approach to this complex challenge.
Through a series of meticulous lab-based experiments, Green and her team have discovered that contrary to industry assumptions, noise levels rise when rainfall is minimal. This occurs because minute water droplets accumulate on the conductor surfaces, saturating them, and thereby producing heightened noise levels. This finding challenges the conventional understanding that lower rain rates result in reduced conductor noise.
The implications of these findings are substantial. SSEN Transmission is now focused on applying these insights to their projects while collaborating with other UK and global Transmission Network Operators. The goal is to refine current estimation processes and impact assessments to better address overhead line noise issues effectively.
The political context surrounding overhead transmission lines is intensifying, as debates continue over their environmental and aesthetic impact. The discourse involves balancing the need for efficient electricity distribution, such as from offshore wind farms, against community concerns over transmission pylons that impact local landscapes. The research by SSEN Transmission is highly relevant to these discussions, contributing to potential solutions for mitigating noise impacts while meeting energy demands.
Ross Easton, Director of External Affairs at the Energy Networks Association, emphasises the importance of such innovative research. He notes that while planning routes for overhead lines, network operators must consider their visual and environmental impacts—aligning with public concerns and legal stipulations.
The newly elected Green MP, Adrian Ramsay, has publicly opposed National Grid Electricity Transmission’s proposed projects despite their role in achieving net-zero emissions. This opposition underscores the ongoing tension between necessary infrastructure development and community preferences, making the findings of SSEN Transmission’s research all the more pertinent.
SSEN Transmission’s research marks a significant step towards understanding and mitigating the noise impacts of power line infrastructure in low rain conditions.
